Utility case



1940- T. GUSTOWSKI 2,227,342

UTILITY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15. 1939 INVENTOR.

T. G USTOWSKI UTILITY CASE Filed D80. 15, 1939 Dec. 31, 194-0.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY ggjiews Gz asfawsh.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

Generally, the invention may be considered an article of luggage. Itwill be seen, however, that its uses are quite manifold and that it maybe found convenient for people who live in board ing houses, hotels andthe like.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a practical, light andcompact container-for articles such as hair brushes, tooth brushes,tooth paste, soap, combs, cosmetics, and other similar articles. ,Thesearticles can be deposited conveniently in the respective receptacles ofthe container and then when desired, said whole case may be folded andcarried by a handle provided on said container for that purpose.

The case may be made either of sheet metal, or, which would be moresuitable, fibre or other such light material. When covered with cloth,leather, or such other covering, it has the ap'-- pearance of an articleof luggage.

I shall now describe my utility case with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my utility case when said case is set upfor use.

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the case in its folded up condition.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the upper part of said case in anopen condition.

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional it is open.

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the case when it is closed.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views.

I shall now describe my utility case in detail. As will be seen from thedrawings, the principal elements of my utility case are panel I andreceptacles or trays H and I 2, which are pivotally attached to saidpanel. The panel itself is a flat member, oblong in shape, its parallelsides It being disposed at right angle to the body of said panel andforming heads [1. Said beads hold Wire locking members I 8. Pivoted tosaid sides l6 by pins l3 and M respectively, are the above saidreceptacles II and I2, of which the lower serves as a stand for the casewhen same is in an open position, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to impartsteadiness to the case when it is inan open position, I am employingbraces 22,whichare secured by means of pins 23 and 24 to the upper andlower receptacle respectively, as shown. Projections 25 on the sides ofthe lower receptacle 12 view of the case when parts however, it may beadvisable to have serve to secure the braces in place when the case isset up for use. A provision is made on the upper part of the panel for amirror 26 which is suspended on a pivoted member 2'! and secured inplace against swaying or knocking about by a latch 28. The detailspertaining to the mirror will be described hereinbelow.

Receptacles II and I2 are similar in shape except that the upperreceptacle l I is provided with an extension 2|. When the case is set upfor use, as shown in Fig. 1, the extension serves as a tray upon whicharticles such as brushes, combs or cosmetics, taken out of thereceptacles may be temporarily placed in readiness for application. Whenthe case is folded up, as shown in Fig. 2, said extension is adapted tocover the top of mirror 26 on the upper end of panel I0.

I have shown both receptacles to be of the same size. It is possible,however, to make one of these receptacles somewhat longer, although itis evident that both receptacles ought to be made of the same depth forthe sake of appearance and compactness. It is also evident that thereceptacles may be subdivided into small compartments, as indicated inthe lower receptacle 12, which contains a partition 30.

I shall now describe the details pertaining to the location and to themanipulation of mirror 26. The mirror is mounted on a. rigid backing 33,the edges of which are turned over the edges 30 of the mirror to form aframe 330. therefor. Normally, the face of the mirror is turned towardsthe panel ID, in which position the mirror is held by means of latch 28.The latter is disposed in a sheath 34 forming a ridge on the back of the35 mirrorand is adapted to slide into a perforated tab or tongue 29,affixed to panel I0.

When the mirror is to be used, the latch is disengaged from the tongueby being slid upwardly, whereupon the mirror is lifted until the planeof the mirror is at an angle of 90 degrees to the plane of the panel I0.Subsequently the mirror is reversed by being swung sideways, 180degrees, wherein the suspending member 2'! acts as a pivot. When allowedto drop down to a position parallel with "the panel, it is suspendedwith its face turned towards the receptacles. Sometimes, the mirror heldhigher than in the above said normal position. In such a case, all thatis necessary is to swing the mirror upward, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.In order to secure the mirror in this position, the reverse end of latch28, marked here 3| is inserted into a slot 32 at the top of the panelID, as shown in said Fig. 5.

When the case is folded, as shown in Fig. 2, locking members 13 may beswung inside so that they bear against extension 2|, thus preventingreceptacles H and i2 from swinging open. Said members, however, have anadditional purpose as they serve as hooks to suspend such articles aswash cloths, water bags, etc.

It will be evident that structurally the case of my invention may bechanged without, however, departing from the basic idea underlying theinvention. What I, therefore, claim has follows:

1. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel substantiallyrectangular in shape, a plurality of rectangular receptacles of equaldepth, hingedly affixed to said panel at right angles thereto butadapted to be swung upward to assume-a position parallel therewith sothat said panel serves as a cover for'said receptacles, brace meanspivotally afiixed to the sides of said re-. ceptacles to connect thesame, the lower ends of said braces being in a yieldable engagement withengageable parts on the lower receptacle to retain said receptacles inan open position.

2. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel, a plurality ofopen, superimposed receptacles hinged thereto at an angle of 90 degreesand adapted to be swung upward against said panel, the bottom receptacleserving as a stand for the case, a pair of braces pivotally affixed tothe sides of the receptacles and disposed parallel with the panelirrespective of the position of the receptacles, the lower ends of thebraces bearing yieldably against raised engageable means on the sides ofthe receptacles to keep the receptacles at said angle of 90 degrees.

3. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel, a plurality ofopen, superimposed receptacles hinged thereto at an angle of 90 degreesand adapted to be swung upward against said panel, the uppermostreceptacle being provided with an outward traylike extension parallelwith the bottom thereof, while the bottom receptacle serves as a standfor the case, a pair of braces pivotally afiixed to the sides of thereceptacles and disposed parallel with the panel irrespective of theposition of the receptacles, the lower ends of the braces bearingyieldably against projecting engageable means on the sides of thereceptacles to keep the receptacles at said angle of 90 degrees.

THADDEUS GUSTOWSKI.

